US5497887A - Method and apparatus for handling objects - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for handling objects Download PDF

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Publication number
US5497887A
US5497887A US07/168,260 US16826088A US5497887A US 5497887 A US5497887 A US 5497887A US 16826088 A US16826088 A US 16826088A US 5497887 A US5497887 A US 5497887A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
objects
chain
recited
discharge plate
rollers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US07/168,260
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English (en)
Inventor
Jacob F. Hiebert
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AUTOLINE Inc A CORP OF
Original Assignee
Autoline Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Autoline Inc filed Critical Autoline Inc
Priority to US07/168,260 priority Critical patent/US5497887A/en
Priority to JP1503530A priority patent/JP2656359B2/ja
Priority to PCT/US1989/000390 priority patent/WO1989008510A1/en
Priority to AU32945/89A priority patent/AU628043C/en
Priority to DE68923611T priority patent/DE68923611T2/de
Priority to EP89903935A priority patent/EP0406284B1/de
Priority to CA000591531A priority patent/CA1334020C/en
Priority to ZA891965A priority patent/ZA891965B/xx
Priority to ES8900942A priority patent/ES2013399A6/es
Assigned to AUTOLINE, INC., A CORP. OF CA reassignment AUTOLINE, INC., A CORP. OF CA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: HIEBERT, JACOB F.
Priority to US08/002,663 priority patent/US5626236A/en
Assigned to AUTOLINE ACQUISITION CORP.,A DE CORP. reassignment AUTOLINE ACQUISITION CORP.,A DE CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AUTOLINE, INC.
Assigned to AUTOLINE, INC., A CORP. OF DE reassignment AUTOLINE, INC., A CORP. OF DE CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AUTOLINE ACQUISITION CORP.
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5497887A publication Critical patent/US5497887A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/94—Devices for flexing or tilting travelling structures; Throw-off carriages
    • B65G47/96—Devices for tilting links or platform
    • B65G47/962—Devices for tilting links or platform tilting about an axis substantially parallel to the conveying direction
    • B65G47/965—Devices for tilting links or platform tilting about an axis substantially parallel to the conveying direction tilting about a sided-axis, i.e. the axis is not located near the center-line of the load-carrier
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/36—Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles
    • B65G2201/0202—Agricultural and processed food products
    • B65G2201/0211—Fruits and vegetables
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S209/00—Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
    • Y10S209/912—Endless feed conveyor with means for holding each item individually

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus and methods for handling objects and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for handling objects, such as articles of produce, for the purpose of sorting those objects according to visually ascertainable criteria, such as size, color, and defectiveness.
  • the presorting of produce has a number of advantages for both consumers and produce growers. For example, through presorting, poor or spoiled produce can be removed prior to packaging, thereby reducing the likelihood of spoilage of the remaining produce during subsequent transportation and storage.
  • the presorting of produce also permits consumers to purchase produce having general characteristics which are compatible with their needs.
  • a restaurant owner for example, may desire to consistently purchase some types of produce such that all of the pieces of such produce are of a substantially uniform size and quality.
  • the presorting of produce facilitates packaging and storing, since the sorted produce may usually be neatly arranged on trays or in crates.
  • optical sorting systems are quite complex, while others remain relatively simple.
  • one type of machine which performs each of the essential operations comprises a conveyor having a plurality of carrier cups, the bottoms of which are capable of being opened selectively by solenoids along the line of travel of the conveyor.
  • One article of produce is dropped into each carrier cup and scanned by a line-scan camera.
  • Each article of produce is then deposited into an appropriate one of a series of sorting containers by selectively actuating the solenoid located adjacent to the appropriate sorting container. This is perhaps the most common type of mechanical produce sorter currently in use.
  • each spacer element J Releasably securable directly to the top of chain A at the outside of each link set I, is the third type of sorter piece, a spacer element J.
  • the top of each spacer element J is provided with an elongated flat support face K which is similar in shape, orientation, and function to support face D on the top of each mounting element B.
  • spacer element J When attached to chain A adjacent to rocker element F, spacer element J serves to hold rocker element F on pivot pin E of mounting element B as chain A makes its return.
  • Chain A is filled along its entire length by link sets I and intervening spacer elements J attached in this manner.
  • FIG. 4 is a detailed elevation view of the optical sorter apparatus of FIG. 1 taken at the optical scanning station thereof depicting the rotation of objects being transported by the apparatus;
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the optical sorter apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along section line 10--10 of FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional elevation view of the chain attachment assembly of FIG. 12 taken along section line 13--13 therein with the diverter arm in the non-activated position thereof;
  • optical scanning devices 70, 72, 76 which are line-scan cameras, is considered highly advantageous to the sorting of produce 12 in accordance with visual characteristics other than just size. Nevertheless, optical scanning devices 70, 72, 74 could also within the scope of the teachings of the present invention comprise one or more pairs of corresponding photo cells and light sources, or even two-dimensional arrays of such, if size is the only sorting criteria to be employed. On the other hand, there may be instances in which object scanning in other than visual modes, such as ultrasonic, radiation, or x-ray scanning, is appropriate in the handling and sorting of objects according to the teachings of the present invention. These methods of non-visual scanning are, accordingly, considered to be within the scope of the scanning means of the present invention.
  • each discharge plates 104 is retained on its corresponding pivot pin 136.
  • the vertical edge 142 of end plate 122 on the opposite side thereof from pivot pin 136 opposes the remote end of pivot pin 136 in the chain attachment assembly 50 adjacent thereto. This blocks the removal of corresponding discharge plate 104 from the pivot pin 136 on which it is mounted.
  • Each chain attachment assembly 50 attached to sorter chain 40 in a sequence cooperates with an adjacent chain attachment assembly 50 to maintain discharge plate 104 thereof in proper position. This relationship may best be appreciated by reference to FIG. 4.
  • a final feature of discharge plate 104 requires explanation prior to passing from FIGS. 2 and 3 to a discussion of the manner in which the three components of chain attachment assembly 50 cooperate to perform the various functions thereof.
  • a finger 144 Extending normal to finger 144 at the remote end thereof is a foot 146 which projects away from pivot pin bore 138 in a direction generally parallel to the length of discharge plate 104.
  • Foot 146 has a generally horizontal upper surface 148 and a lower surface 150, which will be referred to hereafter as an "orientation control surface.”
  • Orientation control surface 150 comprises two upwardly inclined faces 152, 154, so that foot 146 has a generally triangular cross-section.
  • Orientation control surface 150 is used in a manner to be described subsequently to tilt discharge plate 104 upwardly about pivot pin 136 from the substantially horizontal position of discharge plate 104 in which it rests on discharge plate brace 140.
  • each chain attachment assembly 50 serves to attach to and maintain on sorter chain 40 one of each of the three types of elements by which the singulating, object rotating, and object discharging functions of mechanical sorter 10 are accomplished.
  • Discharge plate 104 disposed between adjacent rollers 100 does not participate in supporting articles of produce 12, either during singulation or thereafter.
  • a contrary arrangement would impair efficient rotation for purposes of optical scanning, as well as impairing singulation by providing a non-rotatable surface upon which produce 12 could be stably supported so as to serve as a base upon which to stack additional produce 12 in a non-singulated manner.
  • Each article of produce 12 transported through mechanical sorter 10 thus bridges adjacent rollers 100 on the top surface of sorter chain 40.
  • roller rotation surface 162 is depicted in FIG. 4 as fixed relative to the conveying path of mechanical sorter 10, an equally workable alternative rotation control means could comprise a roller rotation surface which is itself moveable, such as a rotatably-driven belt located adjacent the conveying path of mechanical sorter 10 in the position of ramp 160. The direction and speed of such a belt would determine the extent of rotation imparted to passing produce 12, supported on rollers 100A, 100B.
  • Activation ramps 170, 172 are so positioned as to be capable of interacting with the orientation control surface 150 of each discharge plate 104 when sorter chain 40 moves chain attachment assemblies 50 past. In the resulting interaction the selected individual orientation control surface 150 is raised by its passage over the activating ramp. Correspondingly, the discharge plate 104 attached thereto is tilted about the pivot pin 136 on which it is mounted. Whether or not a given orientation control surface 150 interacts with an activation ramp is determined by the position of the diverter arm associated therewith. Each diverter arm is independently controlled according to information about articles of produce 12 obtained in scanning station 64. Diverter arms 174, 176 may be thusly controlled, for example, by solenoids 178, 180, respectively. It should be understood,.however, that any alternative means of controlling the orientation of a diverter arm such as diverter arms 174, 176 is equally acceptable according to the principles of the present invention.
  • an object handling unit comprising two successive rollers 100 that support the articles of produce 12 and a discharge plate 104 pivotably mounted between the rollers 100, but below the article of produce 12 supported thereby.
  • Each such object handling unit is capable of singulating articles of produce 12 in input section 60 and thereafter rotatably transporting individual ones thereof along the conveying path of mechanical sorter 10.
  • Activation ramps 220 are so positioned as to be capable of interacting on a selected basis with individual orientation control surfaces 208 of each cylindrical finger 206 when sorter chain 40 moves chain attachment assemblies 200 past.
  • the selected individual orientation control surface 208 is deflected in a substantially horizontal direction toward sorter chain 40 by activation ramp 220.
  • discharge plate 204 attached thereto is tilted about pivot pin 136 on which it is mounted.
  • Whether or not a given orientation control surface 208 interacts with an activation ramp is determined by the position of the diverter arm associated therewith.
  • Diverter arm 222 is controlled, for example, by a solenoid 226, which is operated according to information obtained in optical scanning.
  • orientation control surface 208G has reached the end of tapered lead surface 230 on activation ramp 220 and begun to slide along the side surface 232 of activation ramp 220 that faces sorter chain 40.
  • the corresponding article of produce 12G carried in the conveying pocket above discharge plate 204G has been tipped in the direction of pivot pin 136G to an extent that it is about to be discharged entirely from sorter chain 40.
  • orientation control surface 208G will descend inclined trailing surface 234 of activation ramp 220, and discharge plate 204 will resume its substantial horizontal position, like the other discharge plates 204 in FIG. 14.
  • the unloading movement imparted to the object thusly discharged is applied to the center thereof, and only a single corresponding part attached to sorter chain 40 is moved in the process. This is accomplished without disturbing objects resting in adjacent the carrying pockets.
  • feed mechanism 68 would be appropriately widened in order to supply articles of produce 12 to each of the conveyors of the system.
  • the belts of a collection conveyor, such as collection conveyor 80 would be extended beneath all of the sorter chains of the system so as to collect sorted articles of produce 12 discharged from each sorter chain.
  • a single scanning device or devices could be used to scan the articles of produce 12 on several adjacent sorter chains of the system.
US07/168,260 1988-03-15 1988-03-15 Method and apparatus for handling objects Expired - Lifetime US5497887A (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/168,260 US5497887A (en) 1988-03-15 1988-03-15 Method and apparatus for handling objects
PCT/US1989/000390 WO1989008510A1 (en) 1988-03-15 1989-01-31 Method and apparatus for handling objects
AU32945/89A AU628043C (en) 1988-03-15 1989-01-31 Method and apparatus for handling and sorting objects
DE68923611T DE68923611T2 (de) 1988-03-15 1989-01-31 Verfahren und apparat zur beförderung von gegenständen.
EP89903935A EP0406284B1 (de) 1988-03-15 1989-01-31 Verfahren und apparat zur beförderung von gegenständen
JP1503530A JP2656359B2 (ja) 1988-03-15 1989-01-31 対象物を取扱う方法及び装置
CA000591531A CA1334020C (en) 1988-03-15 1989-02-20 Method and apparatus for handling objects
ZA891965A ZA891965B (en) 1988-03-15 1989-03-15 Method and apparatus for handling objects
ES8900942A ES2013399A6 (es) 1988-03-15 1989-03-15 Metodo y aparato para manipular objetos, tales como productos agricolas.
US08/002,663 US5626236A (en) 1988-03-15 1993-01-11 Method and apparatus for handling objects

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/168,260 US5497887A (en) 1988-03-15 1988-03-15 Method and apparatus for handling objects

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/002,663 Continuation US5626236A (en) 1988-03-15 1993-01-11 Method and apparatus for handling objects

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5497887A true US5497887A (en) 1996-03-12

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/168,260 Expired - Lifetime US5497887A (en) 1988-03-15 1988-03-15 Method and apparatus for handling objects
US08/002,663 Expired - Lifetime US5626236A (en) 1988-03-15 1993-01-11 Method and apparatus for handling objects

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/002,663 Expired - Lifetime US5626236A (en) 1988-03-15 1993-01-11 Method and apparatus for handling objects

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (2) US5497887A (de)
EP (1) EP0406284B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2656359B2 (de)
CA (1) CA1334020C (de)
DE (1) DE68923611T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2013399A6 (de)
WO (1) WO1989008510A1 (de)
ZA (1) ZA891965B (de)

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ES2013399A6 (es) 1990-05-01
JP2656359B2 (ja) 1997-09-24
AU3294589A (en) 1989-10-05
ZA891965B (en) 1989-11-29
EP0406284A4 (en) 1992-08-12
EP0406284B1 (de) 1995-07-26
WO1989008510A1 (en) 1989-09-21
DE68923611D1 (de) 1995-08-31
AU628043B2 (en) 1992-09-10
CA1334020C (en) 1995-01-17
JPH03503857A (ja) 1991-08-29
DE68923611T2 (de) 1996-04-18
EP0406284A1 (de) 1991-01-09
US5626236A (en) 1997-05-06

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